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When to plant Bachelor's Button in Edwards County County,

Edwards County County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Plant Bachelor's Button between March 18 (after last frost on April 15) and April 8. A second sowing from September 11 to September 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Bachelor's Button in Edwards County, KS

Edwards County, Kansas Zone 6b June

June to-do list for Edwards County, Kansas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Edwards County, Kansas this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 15
Avg. first frost October 23
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Start harvesting bachelor's button

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: bachelor's button

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Bachelor's Button (Centaurea cyanus), also called cornflower, is a carefree cool-season annual best known for its vivid cobalt-blue flowers — one of the truest blues in the annual garden. It tolerates light frosts, self-seeds prolifically, and thrives in poor to average soils. A traditional cut flower and pollinator magnet, it has been cultivated in gardens for centuries.

Edwards County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 814 feet, Edwards County receives approximately 22 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Bachelor's Button during the growing season.

Annual Blooms in Spring Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting
Edwards County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Edwards County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Bachelor's Button Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 9 🌸 Bloom: Jun 11 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 15 🌸 Bloom: Jun 17 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 30 🌸 Bloom: Jul 2 – Sep 24

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Edwards County

How your county's soil matches Bachelor's Button's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.5) is within Bachelor's Button's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Edwards County is excellent for Bachelor's Button — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Bachelor's Button.

How to Plant Bachelor's Button

0.3"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 6 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Bachelor's Button

3
successive plantings in your 191-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 11.

Bachelor's Button Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 33 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Bachelor's Button

Bachelor's Button needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Bachelor's Button Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 2.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 2.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 2.2" 1.5" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Edwards County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Bachelor's Button Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Bachelor's Button needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,626 GDD Excellent fit

Bachelor's Button Planting Timeline — Edwards County, KS

Bachelor's Button Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 – Apr 29
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Bloom June 17 Jun 17 – Sep 9
Fall Sowing September 11 Sep 11 – Sep 25

Plant 0.3" deep · 12" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Bloom
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Fall Sowing Bloom
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

191 days in Edwards County

Growing Tips for Bachelor's Button in Edwards County

Direct sow Bachelor's Button outdoors after April 15 in Edwards County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Bachelor's Button in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Edwards County receives only 22" of rain annually. Bachelor's Button needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct-sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked; seeds need a brief cold period for best germination (refrigerate for a few days before planting if spring arrives quickly). In zones 6+, fall-sow for the earliest spring bloom. Thin to 12 inches; do not over-fertilize — too much nitrogen produces foliage at the expense of flowers. Deadhead to prolong blooming or allow self-seeding for a naturalized colony.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Bachelor's Button in Edwards County, KS?

Edwards County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Bachelor's Button planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edwards County, KS?

Edwards County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

When should I plant Bachelor's Button in Edwards County, ?

In Edwards County, , plant Bachelor's Button after the last frost (around April 15) and before the first frost (around October 23). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Edwards County, for Bachelor's Button?

Edwards County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Bachelor's Button grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Bachelor's Button grow in Edwards County's climate?

Yes — Bachelor's Button grows well in Edwards County's temperate climate. Edwards County averages a 191-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 15 and first frost around October 23.

🌱

Your Edwards County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Edwards County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Edwards County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.